Altitude

Ears, nose and throat
1

hi, I will. E driving to the mountains next week. Nervous about the altitude affecting menieres. Any suggestions?

2

barometric pressure changes have been known to stimulate MD symptoms.  Knowing that, is vertigo under control now or are you having periodical  episodes?  If your vertigo is under control then you likely will be ok in higher altitudes.  I'm sure you will be taking your emergency meds with you so just take them before and during the elevation climb.  Good luck and don't worry about it.  What's the worse that could happen....you might get vertigo.... but it will go away just like it always does, right?

If you are the one doing the driving then you might want to take the climb in incremental steps and evaluate how you are feeling at each level.  In other words, drive slowly up the mountains and stop for 5 minutes at every 1000 feet you climb to acclimate your inner ear to the new pressure.

3

Hi Chris yes it will effect your ears and may bring on an attack so take plenty of packets of chewing gum as you get higher the pressure will change in your ears chewing or yawning will help equalise ear pressure make sure you have an emergency driver in case of an attack the DVLA took my licence away due to the severity of my attacks ...Johno

4

Hello,

it astonishes me when I read about people driving when they have Menieres.  I haven't driven for years because I get sudden unexpected attacks and I wouldn't like to think there were people driving about who might suddenly have attacks that might seriously effect their driving.  Think of other people.  Don't drive.

 

5

Hi, I’m not driving, my husband is. I wouldn’t attempt it. 

6

Hi Tanny, I should have posted clearer, my Husband is driving. It’s only a 3 day getaway for his birthday. You sound like him! Don’t worry just bring your meds!  I never know when menieres attacks but I’m going to take the chance and be positive! Thanks for the positive feed back!

7

hi John, sorry to hear you had your license taking away. It’s such a debilitating disease. I’m not doing my husband is. I only drive if I need to go to store, bank, dr. Etc. I won’t take a chance getting an attack driving more than 15 minutes away. My dr wants me to start sudafed the morning of and nasal spray and chew gum. Also, have my meds that I hate but they help. Take care! Chris

8

If you climb at a slow rate, should be ok. Went to Colorado in Dec but spent our time getting there and not driving straight through to give me time to adjust. I was given Scolpamine patches to wear and had no issues during my 7 day trip

9

Hi Chris,

I don't think even a 15 minute period in charge of a car, which can be a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands, is acceptable.  I don't  think risking driving to the end of the road is acceptable and you most likely wouldn't be covered by your insurance if you had an attack and an accident because they would see you had an existing condition that effected your driving and they would say you shouldn't have been.  Sorry to have to say this, but it's what I think.  

10

I live in WI and have flown to Denver twice to spend time with my sister and we hiked in the mountains and I was ecstatic because my symptoms actually IMPROVED in the higher altitude. My tinnitus was lower, I had no attacks, ear fullness went away, my balance was better! I was so anxious about it that I almost didn't go but I was pleasantly surprised. My best advice is keep your diet in check and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! You've got this!

All the best,

~Mary

11

Thank you Mary, I appreciate you getting back to me! Best to you too! Chris

12

great idea Wendy, I have those patches, I will bring them! Chris

13

Little history with me, 6 yrs with MD...first 2-3 dexamethasone inj worked fine...had some fullness would go away after a week or so...began to progress to lasting longer with deafening ringing... salt/ caffeine/ alcohol etc diet and diuretic started no real response...Sept 2017 drop attacks started lasting from 1-2hrs to 6-8hrs...10/2017 shunt placed absolutely no help..Had a small reprieve in Nov and Dec then came back with vertigo starting Jan 2018... 1st gent injection got 2mo vertigo free, then came again but more manageable by sometimes just laying down for a few hrs..no valium needed. April attacks again requiring valium doc said left ear no aidable hearing in the ear left to perserve basically so recommend labyrinthectomy...was scared so decided to try gent inj again...got 5 weeks then they came back with vegence...now daily attacks back on valium 3x daily...scheduled for labyrinthectomy June 11th.